I am looking forward to being part of the Lyrics by Shakespeare program in October and I realized that I share with William Shakespeare a deep and persistent case of Italophilia. I believe the seeds of my condition were planted when I was 13 and heard the original version of “Volare” sung by Domenico Modugno. […]
Read MoreThis is the aria that made me fall in love with opera. I first heard a small piece of this in the movie Driving Miss Daisy while Jessica Tandy is working in her garden. Pieces of music have a way of staying with me and this recording featuring Frederica von Stade caught me off guard in […]
Read MoreThe final line of this Reynaldo Hahn piece is what makes this recording with Susan Graham a masterclass in phrasing.
Read MoreIn addition to piano and conducting I had the pleasure of studying voice as a countertenor. While I would never perform “Meine Lippen” in public, I used to love singing it in my apartment during graduate school.
Read MoreThe vitality in the voice of Emma Kirkby is something that makes me smile every time her recordings come on.
Read MoreClara Schumann’s lied are some of my favorite pieces to collaborate on with vocalists. Every piece is a study in elegance and romantic expression.
Read MoreMy journey through the 1960s continues. 1969Billboard’s Top Seller – “Sugar, Sugar” by Jeff Barry & Andy Kim and performed by The Archies Grammy for Record of the Year (1970) – “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In,” Bones Howe (producer) performed by The 5th Dimension Grammy for Song of the Year (1970) – “Games People Play” by Joe […]
Read MoreMy journey through the 1960s continues. 1968Billboard’s Top Seller – “Hey Jude” by the Beatles Grammy for Record of the Year (1969) – “Mrs. Robinson,” Paul Simon & Roy Halee (producers) performed by Simon & Garfunkel Grammy for Song of the Year (1969) – “Little Green Apples” by Bobby Russell (songwriter) performed by Roger Miller […]
Read MoreMy journey through the 1960s continues. 1967Billboard’s Top Seller – “To Sir, with Love” by Don Black and Mark London and performed by Lulu Grammy for Record & Song of the Year (1968) – “Up, Up and Away” by Jimmy Webb (songwriter) and Johnny Rivers & Marc Gordon (producers) performed by The 5th Dimension. Grammy for […]
Read MoreMy journey through the 1960s continues. 1966Billboard’s Top Seller – “California Dreamin’” by John Phillips & Michelle Phillips and recorded by The Mamas & the Papas Grammy for Record of the Year (1967) – “Strangers in the Night,” Jimmy Bowen (producer) & Frank Sinatra Grammy for Song of the Year (1967) – “Michelle” by John […]
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